System for minimizing data transmission latency between a sensor and a suspension controller of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A system for minimizing data transmission latency between a sensor and a suspension controller of a vehicle is described. The system includes: a state determination module that determines a physical state of the vehicle; a plurality of data paths for transmitting a first signal from the sensor to the suspension controller; a data path configurator of the controller that selects a first data path of the plurality of data paths based on at least one characteristic of the first data path and the physical state and configures the first data path to transmit the first signal; and an actuation module that generates an actuation signal to control a damping characteristic of the suspension actuator based on at least the first signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation and claims priority to and benefit ofco-pending U.S. Pat. Application No. 15/588,421, filed on May 5, 2017,Attorney Docket Number FOX-2016-27, entitled “SYSTEM FOR MINIMIZING DATATRANSMISSION LATENCY BETWEEN A SENSOR AND A SUSPENSION CONTROLLER OF AVEHICLE” by Thomas Wittenschlaeger., and assigned to the assignee of thepresent application, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present technology relate generally to suspension anddamping control systems.

BACKGROUND

Traditional suspension such as shock absorbers, springs, and the likeembody damping characteristics that are “tuned” prior to operation. Forexample, a street vehicle will have a suspension tuned for a pleasantride, while a paved-track racing vehicle will have a much firmersuspension to hold the road during high g-force cornering, and anoffroad vehicle would have a more absorptive suspension to allow thevehicle to go over rough roads, potholes, bumps, whoops, jumps, gravel,sand, water, and the like while absorbing many of the jolts. Of course,there are a number of deleterious effects if a suspension tuned for oneenvironment is used in another. These effects can span the gap from anuncomfortable ride (e.g., to stiff or to bouncy) to significantlydangerous loss of control events (e.g., hard suspension on rough road,soft suspension on the track, etc.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, andnot by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle having a sensor and a suspensionmodfier, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a suspension modifier, in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a suspension modifier, in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of system of suspension modifiers, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a suspension modifier, in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a plurality of communicatively coupledsuspension modifiers, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a system for controlling suspension of avehicle, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example computer system, in accordancewith an embodiment.

The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as notbeing drawn to scale except if specifically noted.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of thepresent invention and is not intended to represent the only embodimentsin which the present invention is to be practiced. Each embodimentdescribed in this disclosure is provided merely as an example orillustration of the present invention, and should not necessarily beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. In someinstances, well known methods, procedures, objects, and circuits havenot been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofthe present disclosure.

Overview of Discussion

Current suspension control systems suffer from latency issues whensensing, computing, and sending actuation signals for damper and springcontrol. High piston shaft speed and accelerations require fasterreaction times from vehicle networks, processing architectures, andsoftware algorithms than are presently provided.

Some solutions rely on a controller area network (CAN) bus to transmitactuation signals from a central ECU to each corner of the vehicle. Theactuators on the shock absorbers are controlled by vehicle-specificcontrol measures that compensate for vehicle heave, pitch, and roll.However, many of these systems fail to address the rapid changes inspeed and direction at each corner of the vehicle. The problem isfurther exacerbated by off-road situations where road conditions aremore severe and vary far more significantly than traditional on-roadsituations.

Embodiments described herein, address and overcome the shortcomings byutilizing shared and co-processing of data, co-location of subroutinesto co-occurrence, corner-specific scheduling of apps, mirroring data,and load balancing. In addition, further aspects of enhancing the datapathways, throughput and latency include utilizing data shunting, sensorpruning, and statistical minimization. Moreover, embodiments describedherein provide a data path configuration control that is capable ofreserving higher speed data paths, memory, and cache to further minimizelatency.

For example, embodiments provide separate processing, network, andmemory for a plurality of controlled damping element while maintaining adata network to ensure that all elements are thinking and acting as one.The system utilizes available sensors as needed to providewheel-specific, e.g., corner specific, and vehicle specific, e.g.,platform specific, controls based on a hierarchy. The system willoperate in various states for both platform and wheel-specific control.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a vehicle 10 having asystem 100 for minimizing data transmission latency between a sensor anda suspension controller is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Inone embodiment, the system 100 includes features for selection ofprocessing elements and processing support elements for controlling asuspension actuator of vehicle 10. In one embodiment, the system 100includes features for controlling suspension of the vehicle 10 includingat least one suspension actuator for controlling motion of an unsprungmass relative to a chassis of the vehicle 10 utilizing a minimized dataset.

In one embodiment, system 100 includes one or more controllable andactuatable suspension components which include suspension modifiers 102(each designated as “102-suffix” indicating location/use/etc.). Some orall of the suspension modifiers 102 may include actuatable suspensioncomponents such as controllable dampers 104 and/or adjustable springs106. Some or all of the suspension modifiers 102 include at least oneprocessing element 108. Some or all of the suspension modifiers 102include at least one sensor 110. Some or all of the suspension modifiers102 include at least one of wireless or satellite communication 112, CANcommunication 114, and network communication 116. Some or all of thesuspension modifiers 102 include CAN communication 114 and/or networkcommunication 116 with a central engine control unit 118.

Suspension modifiers 102 may include shock absorbers 102-FR, 102-FL,102-RR, and 102-RL (front right, front left, rear right, and rear leftof vehicle 10, respectively) disposed between the sprung mass of thevehicle 10 or vehicle chassis and unsprung masses 12 at each corner ofthe vehicle 10, such as wheels or other ground engaging members (forexample, skids of a snowmobile, tracks, etc.) Suspension modifiers 102may include body dampers 102-VF and 102-VR (vehicle front and vehiclerear, respectively) which may provide side-to-side or up-and-downdamping effects to improve pitch, roll, and yaw. Suspension modifiers102 may include an engine mount 102-EM (engine mount) for damping enginetorque, harmonic frequency vibration, and other NVH (noise, vibration,harshness) control. Suspension modifiers 102 may include one or morecabin shock absorbers 102-CB (cabin) for damping a passenger compartmentor seating component, such as for example, a driver seat, a cockpit, orthe entire cabin.

Sensors 110 include at least one sensor that measures a variable relatedto controlling motion of the unsprung mass 12 relative to the chassis ofvehicle 10, such as at controllable and actuatable suspension modifiers102, and transmits a signal corresponding to the variable over at leastone of the communications 112, 114, and 116 that link the plurality ofprocessing elements 108.

In one embodiment, the communications include a plurality of data pathssuch as, but not limited to, at least one of a CAN bus, a transmissioncontrol protocol network (TCP) path, a fast active queue management TCPnetwork path, a time-triggered protocol network path, a FlexRay networkpath, a distributed network path, a wireless network data path,peer-to-peer interconnects, satellite data paths, fabric network datapaths, harmonized control planes, and a distributed computing bus. Oneor more other vehicles 20 may communicate over-the-air via the samewireless networks.

Some exemplary network and data path examples, incorporated by referenceherein, include those disclosed in: “Harmonized Control Planes, Systemsand Methods,” U.S. Pat. No. 9,363,204; “Hybrid Transport - ApplicationNetwork Fabric Apparatus,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,862,706; “SoftwareApplication Striping,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,364,744; “Distributed ComputingBus,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,296,465; “Dynamic Packet Routing,” U.S. Pat. Pub.No. 2013/0094498; “Software-Based Fabric Enablement,” U.S. Pat. Pub. No.2015/0200809; and “Disaggregated Network Management,” U.S. Pat. No.7,548,545.

In one embodiment, the plurality of processing elements 108 is selectedfrom the group consisting of the suspension modifiers 102, the ECU 118,on-board video processing elements (not shown but including forward- andrearward-facing cameras, edge detection cameras and the like),sound/sonar processing elements, infotainment unit processing elements,and any other processing capabilities typically found in an automotiveenvironment.

In one embodiment, sensors 110 are one or a combination offorward-looking cameras, rear-looking cameras, acoustic sensors,accelerometers, angle meters to measure pitch, roll, and/or yaw,thermometers, infrared sensors, potentiometers, switches, and the likewhich provide information about the vehicle 10 to include platform leveland corner of vehicle level information. For example, sensor 110 willidentify an upcoming bump, a present level of shock actuation or travelposition, throttle pedal position, brake pedal position, passengerposition or movement, cabin position, a turn of the steering wheel, thevehicle speed, the g-force in a turn, etc. Sensors 110 may be integralwith the suspension modifiers 102.

In one embodiment, the platform level inputs are selected from the groupof sensors comprising a steering position, a throttle position, a brakeposition, vehicle acceleration, a vehicle geospatial position, a vehiclepitch, a vehicle roll, a vehicle yaw, a vehicle location positioncoordinate, and the like. The corner of vehicle level input is selectedfrom the group of sensors comprising a wheel angle, a wheel camber, adamper position, a damper temperature, a gas spring pressure, a springstress, a road surface camera, a fluid cavitation, and the like.

Suspension modifiers 102 may include damping and spring elements 104 and106, such as for, but not limited to wheels, steering, body, harmonics,engine mount, seating, and the like.

In one embodiment, the suspension modifiers 102 include commonprocessing architecture and common memory architecture which may bephysically dispersed but not functionally dispersed. The suspensionmodifiers 102 may have no intervening protocol (as shown in FIG. 6 ).The suspension modifiers 102 share a common backplane. In oneembodiment, control of the various elements is platform-specific orcorner-specific and any of the processing elements of suspensionmodifiers 102 can perform any of the control functions.

With reference now to FIG. 2 , a block diagram 200 of a suspensionmodifier 102 is shown in accordance with an embodiment. For example,referring now to FIG. 2 , an exemplary suspension modifier 102, such assuspension modifier 102-FR, may actuate damper 104 and/or spring 106coupling an unsprung mass such as wheel 12 with a sprung mass of thevehicle 10 at the front-right (FR) corner. In one embodiment, suspensionmodifier 102 includes various computing components such as a processingelement 202, cache 204, share/mirrored memory (SMM) 206, RAM 208, flashmemory 210, and a system interconnect 212 for receiving and transmittingvarious signals. The computing components may be collocated on asystem-on-a-chip (SOC) and may comprise an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), orother circuitry including processing, memory, and communicationfeatures. In some examples, these and other computing components may bedistributed among two or more suspension modifiers 102. The suspensionmodifier 102 includes executable software and may include other hardwareand/or firmware that, together with processing element 202, cache 204,SMM 206, RAM 208, flash memory 210, and system interconnect 212,function as modules to execute strategies, computer code, andprogramming executables.

The system interconnect 212 may receive signals from sensors 110 via oneor more of the available data paths. On-board sensors 110-a on thevehicle 10 and off-board sensors 110-b (such as sensors of anothervehicle 20, sensors in a road, etc.) may transmit data signals to thesuspension modifier 102 over one or more of the data paths which is thenreceived at the system interconnect 212. Sensor signals may betransmitted over the CAN interface 114 from the ECU 118 or otherconnected controllers or modules such as a brake module, a stabilitycontrol module, and the like. Driver inputs 14 such as brake position,accelerator position, clutch position, gear selector position may beprovided to the system interconnect 212 over CAN 114 or another datapath. Data may be provided to the system interconnect 212 over a shuntedor dedicated interface 115 with the sensor 110 that may bypass one ormore other modules. Each system interconnect 212 of each suspensionmodifier 102 may be connected with one or more other suspensionmodifiers by a peer interconnect 116.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , the system 100 via one or more suspensionmodifiers 102 comprises a plurality of data paths 112, 114, 115, 116over which data from sensors 110 and driver inputs 14 are transmitted.One of the suspension modifiers 102 further comprises a data pathconfigurator 214 that configures one of the plurality of data paths fortransmitting a first signal from one of the sensors 110 to a suspensionactuation module 216 (e.g., part of suspension modifier 102 or ECU 118).Data path configurator 214 further configures any or all of theplurality of data paths for transmitting a second signal from thesuspension actuation module 216 to the damper 104 or spring 106. In oneembodiment, the plurality of data paths includes, but is not limited to,at least one of a CAN bus, a transmission control protocol network (TCP)path, a fast active queue management TCP network path, a time-triggeredprotocol network path, a FlexRay network path, a distributed networkpath, a wireless network data path, or the like. Depending on the dataneed to generate an actuation value, the data path configurator 214 mayconfigure multiple data paths from the plurality of data paths fortransmitting additional signals.

In one embodiment, data path configurator 214 receives systeminformation such as, but not limited to, a status or physical state ofthe vehicle 10 from a state determination module 218. For example, thestate determination module 218 may receive some or all data from thesensors 110 and driver inputs 14 and determine a physical state of thevehicle based on data such as a GPS position, speed, geometry relativeto the road surface, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , data pathconfigurator 214 shares information with and receives information fromevery other suspension modifier 102 via the peer data connection 116.

A data path monitor 220 may monitor one or more current pathcharacteristics of the data paths. The data path monitor 220 may comparethe current path characteristic to a characteristic minimum, maximum, oraverage value or a range of values and output a prioritization ofavailable data paths for transmission of the first, second, and anyother signals. A number methods may be used by data path configurator214 when selecting a data path from the plurality of data paths. Forexample, the first data path for the first signal may be selected basedon a physical distance of the data path, data path congestion, data pathcontention of the plurality of data paths, data path capacity, data pathtransmission rate, data path transmission protocol, and the like. In oneembodiment, the first, second and n^(th) data paths are selected basedon one or more of a physical distance of the data path, data pathcongestion, data path contention, data path capacity, data pathtransmission rate, data path transmission protocol, and the like.

In one embodiment, the data path configurator 214 selects a first datapath of the plurality of data paths based on at least one characteristicof the first data path and the physical state and configures the firstdata path to transmit the first signal and/or the second signal.

In one embodiment, after ECU 118 develops a suspension modificationbased on the resultant force and frequency vectors, data pathconfigurator 214 selects the first data path and transmits the firstsignal from the suspension actuation module 216 which provides thesuspension modification (e.g., an actuator command or signal) to atleast one of the plurality of suspension components 104 and 106 tomodify a performance of at least one of the plurality of suspensioncomponents. For example, in one embodiment the actuation module portionof suspension modifier 102 generates an actuation signal to control adamping characteristic of the suspension actuator based on at least thefirst signal. In one embodiment, the actuation module portion ofsuspension modifier 102 further sends the actuation signal to thesuspension actuator.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , the system 100 may include the plurality ofsuspension modifiers 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3, each includingrespectively processing elements 202-1, 202-2, and 202-3 (collectivelyprocessing elements 202) linked by the system interconnect 212 as shownin FIG. 2 . A first processing element 202-1 of the plurality ofprocessing elements 202 includes a processing element (PE) selectionmodule 222 that selects which of the processing elements 202 to utilizefor determining the actuation signal for the damper 104 and/or spring106. The processing element 202-1 may include a PE monitor 224 whichmonitors at least one characteristic of the processing elements 202. Theprocessing element 202-1 may include an application module 226 whichmonitors which of a plurality of applications is active for generatingthe actuation signal. For example, the application module 226 mayselecting an application based on the vehicle state as determined by thestate determination module 218. Any or none of the additional processingelements 202, such as second processing element 202-2 and thirdprocessing element 202-3 may include any or none of the PE selectionmodule 222, the PE monitor 224, and the application module 226.

The PE selection module 222 may select the best available processingelement for computing the actuation signal based on at least one of aprocessor characteristic and an application characteristic. In oneembodiment, the PE selection module 222 selects the first processingelement 202-1 in order to achieve the shortest processing time fromsensor input to actuation signal generation.

The at least one processor characteristic is selected from a pluralityof characteristics such as, but not limited to, a processorarchitecture, a clock rate, a processor load, or the like. The at leastone application characteristic is selected from a number ofcharacteristics such as, but not limited to, a graphics processing unit(GPU), acoustic processing unit, a faster cache characteristic, a memorycharacteristic, a storage characteristic, or the like. Further, theapplication characteristic may be based on executional space that isbest tailored to the specific application. E.g., video-intensiveprocessing running on a processing element with a GPU, etc.

In one embodiment, the processing element (PE) monitor 224 is used tomonitor the plurality of processing elements 202 and determine aprocessor load or other characteristic of each processing element. ThePE selection module 222 may select the processing element based on theprocessor load, temperature, status, or other characteristic.

In one embodiment, a PE allocation module 228 designates an executionspace of the processing element 202 from one or more of the processingelement(s). For example, the processing allocation module 228 maydesignate a portion of a field programmable gate array (FPGA) to be thelocation where the execution will occur.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , the suspension modifier 102 may include aparsing module 230 which may receive N variables from the sensors 110and driver inputs 14 via system interconnect 212. The parsing module 230may reduce the number of variables provided to the suspension actuationmodule 216 to generate a control signal for the damper 104 and/or spring106. The parsing module 230 may determine a subset M variables of the Nvariables based on the physical state of the vehicle 10 as determined bythe state determination module 218.

For example, the state determination module 218 may determine that thevehicle 10 is traveling down a known path, perhaps previously traversedon a similar day and at a similar speed. The state determination module218 may reduce the number of variable to be used for determiningactuation signals in order to increase processing capabilities forunexpected events, such as, a pothole, road obstruction, animal in thepath, or other event that may require an evasive maneuver by thesuspension components 104 and 106. In some situations, the parsingmodule 230 may reduce the input to a single variable provided over ashunted data path. In other situations, the parsing module 230 mayreduce the inputs to a value from a predetermined look-up valuegenerated by a suspension modifier calibration activity prior to adrive. The predetermined look-up values may be downloaded to the system100 and provided to the suspension modifiers 102. For example, for agiven predetermined path or course to be driven by the vehicle 10, aplurality of tables and values could be provided to the system 100 toenable suspension actuation based primarily upon a GPS location withon-the-fly adjustment for corner-specific events.

Referring now to FIG. 6 , a block diagram 300 of a plurality ofcommunicatively coupled suspension modifiers 102 are shown in accordancewith an embodiment, in one embodiment, the suspension modifiers 102a-102 d each receive platform data 305 and each obtain and share theirown corner data 306 a-306 d.

Although in diagram 300, four suspension modifiers 102 a-102 d areshown, the technology is well suited to using more or fewer suspensionmodifiers. For example, a six wheeled vehicle could have 2, 4, 6, 7,etc. suspension modifiers, a tracked vehicle could have 2 suspensionmodifiers, a two wheeled vehicle could have 2 suspension modifiers, avehicle with four wheels could have only 2 suspension modifiers, e.g.,one for the front suspension and one for the back, etc. Thus,embodiments are well suited to the use of any number of suspensionmodifiers greater than or equal to 2 to be used on a vehicle.

With reference now to FIG. 7 , a flow chart 400 of a system forcontrolling suspension of a vehicle is shown in accordance with anembodiment. In one embodiment, the system minimizes data transmissionlatency between a sensor and a suspension controller of a vehicle. Inone embodiment, the system selects processing elements and processingsupport elements for controlling a suspension actuator of a vehicle. Inone embodiment, the system includes at least one suspension actuator forcontrolling motion of an unsprung mass relative to a chassis of thevehicle.

As the system operates, a processing load threshold 402 is monitored. Inone embodiment, the processing load threshold 402 includes data pathconfigurator 210 which acts similar to a network manager, and aprocessor performance monitor would serve as a processing load leveler.For example, data path configurator 210 of the suspension controller(e.g., ECU 118) selects a first data path of the plurality of data pathsbased on at least one characteristic of the first data path and thephysical state and configures the first data path to transmit the firstsignal. Moreover, data path configurator 210 of the suspensioncontroller (e.g., ECU 118) selects a second (an n^(th), etc.) data pathof the plurality of data paths based on the at least one characteristicof the first, second, n^(th) data paths and the physical state andconfigures the first data path to transmit the first signal, the seconddata path to transmit the second signal, and the n^(th) data path totransmit the n^(th) signal.

For example, at 404 the backplane has a given amount of capacity and thedata path configurator would reserve space for higher data rates.Similar to a network switch that reserves bandwidth for videoteleconference, the data path configurator 210 may reserve backplanecapacity for higher data volume sensors, such as for example, opticalsensors, high resolution video sensors, etc.

Moreover, at 404, the processor performance monitor would determinewhich processors are busy and which are not, and assign work asappropriate.

At 406, a determination of the platform system state is performed. Inone embodiment, a state determination module determines the physicalstate of the vehicle. In general, state determination module could beECU 118 which receives input from one or more suspension modifiers 102;sensors 110 for both platform and corner vehicle level inputs;controllable and actuatable suspension components 104, 106; peer-to-peerinterconnects 116 between the suspension modifiers 102.

In one embodiment, state determination module 218 (e.g., part ofsuspension modifier 102 or ECU 118) would analyze the inputs receivedfrom one or more of the above stated components and utilize the inputsto determine a physical state of the vehicle. Examples of a vehicle’sphysical state includes, but are not limited to, steady state, zero g,negative g, anticipatory state, non-level vehicle, and the like.

At 408, a determination of the corner specific physical state is alsoperformed. In general, the state determination module (e.g., ECU 118)would analyze the state of the corner specific system and determinecontrol modes based on the physical state. Examples of corner specificphysical states include, but are not limited to high g-force turn, dive,squat, pothole, obstacle, zero g, non-level wheel, anticipatory wheelstate, and the like.

In one embodiment, the determination of the physical state of thevehicle also includes the detection of an improvement or degradation inride or stability of the vehicle. For example, temperature of fluid (onevs. all) could indicate either a failed single shock or completelyoverworked suspension. An airborne state (and in what order it happened)could be used to pre-stage suspension to react when the vehicle lands. Acontrol panel output could also draw on the state determination withindicators (total stress from start or virtual cycle indicator),temperatures, and other shock absorber data relevant to the operator ofthe vehicle, and the like. In one embodiment, the information about theimprovement or degradation in ride or stability is provided to thesuspension modifier 102.

At 410, one embodiment selects the control state based onprioritization. For example, in one embodiment, each suspension modifier102a-102d, utilizes an exemplary system prioritization hierarchy. E.g.,in one embodiment, the hierarchy includes a system level, a high gcorner event, a customary corner event, and an off-board anticipatoryevent (both platform and corner), and the like.

For example, a corner off-board anticipatory event is something like,when moving forward a rear suspension will likely experience what thefront suspension experienced. In contrast, in a platform off-boardevent, a vehicle in front will experience an event and transmit the dataabout the event to be used by the trailing vehicle.

At 412, and broken down in the description of 420-450 herein, the datapath is selected based on the control state. Although 4 control statesare discussed, the technology is well suited to a different number ofcontrol states, a hybridization of two or more of the discussed controlstates, or the like.

At 420, in a first slowest state, e.g., control state 1, all sensed datais used. That is, as shown in 422, the full input set is read andutilized. An example of control state 1 would be a normal drive down astandard street. During the drive, the road surface is mostly uniformand the driver inputs are normal driving turns, starts and stops. Thesuspension information is not really changing and the suspension can beset for a smooth ride.

At 475, the suspension modification would then be provided, to at leastone of the plurality of suspension components to modify the performanceof at least one of the plurality of suspension components.

At 430, in a second faster state, e.g., control state 2, less data isused based on statistical analysis to determine the most relevant dataneeded to actuate the damper. An example of control state 2 would be anormal drive down a snow covered street. During the drive, the roadsurface condition is changing in traction and consistency; and thedriver inputs are a harder braking, sliding of one or more wheels, ahard turn, a skid, or the like. The suspension information is changingfrequently and adjustments are continually being made. Thus, the vehicledoes not need to be constantly in control state 2, but would varybetween the different control states as conditions change.

At 432, the reduced input data set would be utilized. For example, inone embodiment a data minimizer would also look at all sensor inputs andactuator signals and determine if actuation variance can be explainedwith a smaller data set. If so, the minimizer could act to “prune”sensor data from the calculations to achieve actuation signals that are85%-95% of what would be seen if more or all data were used to calculatea response. The discussion of the reduced data set is provided infurther detail in the section entitled selection of minimized data setfor % accurate control.

Further, at 434 the information about the event could be recorded andstored in the lookup table for later utilization. At 436, a correctionfactor or suspension modification would be developed and recorded in thelookup table for later application. For example, a sensor 110 may detecta bottom-out or top-out event by a position sensor which may providefeedback to the system 100 for improved response to a similar futureevent. The correction factor could relate to deterioration of asuspension component, such as for example a worn shock absorber with lowgas pressure. Other suspension modifier 102 may also use the feedback toadjust damping or spring rates to compensate for the deterioratingsuspension component.

At 475, the suspension modification would then be provided, to at leastone of the plurality of suspension components to modify the performanceof at least one of the plurality of suspension components.

At 440, in a third even faster state, e.g., control state 3, the mostrelevant data stream is shunted to the specific wheel. In oneembodiment, the data can be drawn from a vehicle ahead. An example ofcontrol state 3 is a quick or surprising event that occurs during any ofthe other control states. During the drive, a significant deviation inthe road surface condition is realized e.g., a large pothole or thelike. The suspension information is not frequent and is not universal,and the adjustments to the suspension components need to be made basedon the specific event. Thus, the information needs to reach theappropriate suspension and is likely not even applicable to the otherwheels or suspension components in the system.

In one embodiment, data path configurator 210 uses data shunting to getthe most useful data to the processing element by real-time operatingsystem (RTOS) manager. Examples of data shunting, e.g., directing thedata to the specific corner, include aspects such as, rear suspensionneeding to know accelerator position; front suspension needing to knowbrake position; right suspension needing to know left turn; leftsuspension needing to know right turn, etc.

For example, instead of providing the data throughout the system, whenthe vehicle is in a faster state, e.g., the suspension is encounteringquick changes in surface, g-force, or the like, the most relevant datastream will be shunted to the suspension modifier associated with thespecific wheel needing the suspension modification and the specificsuspension modifier 102 will change focus to processing the relevantdata from the data stream to develop the appropriate suspensionmodification as a highest priority. After the shunted data is resolved,the specific suspension modifier 102 will then return to normalprocessing operations.

At 475, the suspension modification would then be provided, to at leastone of the plurality of suspension components to modify the performanceof at least one of the plurality of suspension components.

At 450, in the fastest state, e.g., control state 4, data needed forcontrol calculations is recovered from the lookup table. In oneembodiment, the lookup table data is updated and/or corrected over time.In another aspect, software algorithms are co-located within storagemediums based upon co-occurrence.

For example, at 452, in the fastest state the suspension modifier wouldutilize the lookup table to obtain a suspension modification withouthaving to develop the suspension modification. This will be valuable insaving time when the vehicle is moving quickly or encountering a numberof different inputs in a very short period of time, such that thesuspension modifiers 102 determine that the need for a suspensionmodification, or an ongoing consistent need for different suspensionmodifications, is required faster than the time required for thesuspension modifiers 102 to analyze the input and develop the necessarysuspension modification.

At 475, the suspension modification would then be provided, to at leastone of the plurality of suspension components to modify the performanceof at least one of the plurality of suspension components.

In one embodiment, at 480 the system also includes a statisticalminimizer, or processor performance monitor, would serve as a processingload leveler. For example, the processor performance monitor woulddetermine which processors are busy and which are not, and assign workas appropriate.

Selection of Minimized Data Set for % Accurate Control

In one embodiment a data minimizer would also look at all sensor inputsand actuator signals and determine if actuation variance can beexplained with a smaller data set. If so, the minimizer could act to“prune” sensor data from the calculations to achieve actuation signalsthat are 85%-95% of what would be seen if more or all data were used tocalculate a response.

In one embodiment, the plurality of sensors 110 that measure N variablesrelated to control of the at least one suspension actuator and thattransmit the N variables by a plurality of signals over a communicationnetwork. As described herein, the N variables include aspects such as,but not limited to, a damper position, a vehicle speed, a steeringangle, a throttle position, a damper temperature, a damper pressure, adamper acoustic signal, a barometric pressure, and an ambienttemperature.

The state determination module measures an instantaneous state of thevehicle.

The parsing module selects a subset M variables of the N variablesnecessary to generate valid actuator signals for the at least one of theactuatable suspension components 140 based on a mathematical reductionyielding a maximum variance explained for the instantaneous state.

The actuation module of suspension modifiers 102 generates the actuationsignal to control the damping characteristic of the suspension actuatorbased on the subset M variables.

For example, N variables that are relevant to controlling the damper areavailable to be used to determine the damping force needed to respond toevents while the vehicle is in a given instantaneous state. In thepresent example, it is assumed that there are 25 variables such as,damper position, vehicle speed, steering angle, throttle position,damper temperature, damper pressure, damper acoustic signal, barometricpressure, ambient temperature... and so on.

Moreover, there are instantaneous states for the vehicle like steadystate which involves aspects such as, but not limited to, throttle andsteering; a diving state that involves aspects such as, but not limitedto, brakes and vehicle speed; a roll state that involves aspects suchas, but not limited to, steering and vehicle speed; and a jump state anda landing state that involves aspects such as, but not limited to,damper position, speed, and acceleration.

Depending on the instantaneous state, the time in which a calculationmay be performed may vary. For example, in some instantaneous states,like a steady stead, there is enough calculation time to use all 25variables in generating the solution that is passed to the actuationmodule. But when another instantaneous state is detected, thecalculation time may be reduced. In those situations, where thecalculation time is reduced, one embodiment finds a subset of the 25variables that will provide a sufficient response to the events thatwill occur due to the change of the instantaneous state.

In one embodiment, the subset of the variables is based on the minimumnumber needed until variation on the damping force signal becomesasymptotic and greater than a % variance explained minimum. In otherwords, there is a window between a perfect signal that uses all 25variables and a % variance explained threshold (e.g., 80%, 90%, etc.).As more variables are added to the calculation, the % variance explainedapproaches 100%. However, at some point, the % variance explained is“good enough” given the circumstances and the reduced calculation time.

One embodiment keeps adding variables to the calculation as long asthere is time to use them before the suspension modifiers 102 need tomodify the actuatable suspension components 104, 106. In one embodiment,that time is situation dependent or dependent upon the vehicle’sinstantaneous state or a state change. For example, by looking at thevehicle instantaneous state, determine if there is a change, thenchoosing which variables to use based on the change in state and itsassociated calculation time limitations. In one embodiment, the numberand type of variables that are used for each instantaneous state mayadditionally be determined through calibration of the vehiclesuspension.

Example Computer System

With reference now to FIG. 5 , a block diagram of an example computersystem with which or upon which various embodiments of the presentinvention are implemented is shown. It should be appreciated that one ormore of the embodiments are composed of computer-readable andcomputer-executable instructions that reside, for example, in anon-transitory computer-readable medium.

Although FIG. 5 illustrates an example computer system 500 used inaccordance with embodiments of the present technology. It is appreciatedthat system 500 of FIG. 5 can operate on or within a number of differentcomputer systems including general purpose networked computer systems,computer-readable and computer-executable instructions that reside, forexample, in non-transitory computer-readable medium, embedded computersystems, routers, switches, server devices, user devices, variousintermediate devices/artifacts, stand-alone computer systems, mobilephones, personal data assistants, televisions and the like.

Computer system 500 of FIG. 8 is well adapted to having peripheralcomputer readable media 502 such as, for example, an external storagedrive, a compact disc, a flash drive, a thumb drive, a wireless radioenabled device, and the like coupled thereto.

Computer system 500 of FIG. 8 includes an address/data/control bus 504for communicating information, and a processor 506A coupled to bus 504for processing information and instructions. As depicted in FIG. 5 ,system 500 is also well suited to a multi-processor environment in whicha plurality of processors 506A, 506B, and 506C are present. Conversely,system 500 is also well suited to having a single processor such as, forexample, processor 506A. Processors 506A, 506B, and 506C are any ofvarious types of microprocessors. Computer system 500 also includes datastorage features such as a computer usable volatile memory 508, e.g.,random access memory (RAM), coupled to bus 504 for storing informationand instructions for processors 506A, 506B, and 506C.

System 500 also includes computer usable non-volatile memory 510, e.g.,read only memory (ROM), coupled to bus 504 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processors 506A, 506B, and 506C. Alsopresent in system 500 is a data storage unit 512 (e.g., a magnetic diskdrive, optical disk drive, solid state drive (SSD), and the like)coupled to bus 504 for storing information and instructions. Computersystem 500 also includes an optional alpha-numeric input device 514including alphanumeric and function keys coupled to bus 504 forcommunicating information and command selections to processor 506A orprocessors 506A, 506B, and 506C. Computer system 500 also includes anoptional cursor control device 516 coupled to bus 504 for communicatinguser input information and command selections to processor 506A orprocessors 506A, 506B, and 506C. Optional cursor control device is atouch sensor, gesture recognition device, and the like. Computer system500 of the present embodiment also includes an optional display device518 coupled to bus 504 for displaying information.

Referring still to FIG. 5 , optional display device 518 of FIG. 5 is aliquid crystal device, cathode ray tube, OLED, plasma display device orother display device suitable for creating graphic images andalpha-numeric characters recognizable to a user. Optional cursor controldevice 516 allows the computer user to dynamically signal the movementof a visible symbol (cursor) on a display screen of display device 518.Many implementations of cursor control device 516 are known in the artincluding a trackball, mouse, touch pad, joystick, non-contact input,gesture recognition, voice commands, bio recognition, and the like. Inaddition, special keys on alpha-numeric input device 514 capable ofsignaling movement of a given direction or manner of displacement.Alternatively, it will be appreciated that a cursor can be directedand/or activated via input from alpha-numeric input device 514 usingspecial keys and key sequence commands.

Computer system 500 also includes an I/O device 520 for coupling system500 with external entities. For example, in one embodiment, I/O device520 is a modem for enabling wired or wireless communications betweensystem 500 and an external network such as, but not limited to, theInternet or intranet. A more detailed discussion of the presenttechnology is found below.

Referring still to FIG. 5 , various other components are depicted forsystem 500. Specifically, when present, an operating system 522,applications 524, modules 526, and data 528 are shown as typicallyresiding in one or some combination of computer usable volatile memory508, e.g. random access memory (RAM), and data storage unit 512.However, it is appreciated that in some embodiments, operating system522 would be stored in other locations such as on a network or on aflash drive; and that further, operating system 522 would be accessedfrom a remote location via, for example, a coupling to the internet. Inone embodiment, the present technology, for example, is stored as anapplication 524 or module 526 in memory locations within RAM 508 andmemory areas within data storage unit 512. The present technology wouldbe applied to one or more elements of described system 500.

System 500 also includes one or more signal generating and receivingdevice(s) 530 coupled with bus 504 for enabling system 500 to interfacewith other electronic devices and computer systems. Signal generatingand receiving device(s) 530 of the present embodiment would includewired serial adaptors, modems, and network adaptors, wireless modems,and wireless network adaptors, and other such communication technology.The signal generating and receiving device(s) 530 would work inconjunction with one or more communication interface(s) 532 for couplinginformation to and/or from system 500. Communication interface 532 wouldinclude a serial port, parallel port, Universal Serial Bus (USB),Ethernet port, Bluetooth, thunderbolt, near field communications port,WiFi, Cellular modem, or other input/output interface. Communicationinterface 532 would physically, electrically, optically, or wirelessly(e.g., via radio frequency) couple system 500 with another device, suchas a mobile telephone, radio, or computer system.

The computing system 500 is only one example of a suitable computingenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the present technology. Neither shouldthe computing environment be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of components illustratedin the example computing system 500.

The present technology is described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thepresent technology can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules are located in both local and remotecomputer-storage media including memory-storage devices.

The foregoing Description of Embodiments is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form described.Instead, example embodiments in this Description of Embodiments havebeen presented in order to enable persons of skill in the art to makeand use embodiments of the described subject matter. Moreover, variousembodiments have been described in various combinations. However, anytwo or more embodiments could be combined. Although some embodimentshave been described in a language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matterdefined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thespecific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific featuresand acts described above are disclosed by way of illustration and asexample forms of implementing the claims and their equivalents.

What we claim is:
 1. A system for minimizing data transmission latencybetween a sensor and a single suspension controller of a vehicle,comprising: a state determination module that determines a physicalstate of said vehicle; a plurality of data paths for transmitting afirst signal from said sensor to said single suspension controller; adata path configurator that selects a first data path from saidplurality of data paths based on at least one characteristic of saidfirst data path and said physical state of said vehicle and configuressaid first data path to transmit said first signal; and an actuationmodule that generates an actuation signal to control a dampingcharacteristic of a suspension actuator based on at least said firstsignal.